When Audrey Met Alice

Title: When Audrey Met Alice

 

Author: Rebecca Behrens

 

Summary: Audrey's mother was recently elected as president, and ever since Audrey has moved into 1600 (the White House), she has felt out of place at school; with her only friend being a boy, Quint, who she wants as a boyfriend. She is sick of having to deal with guards and feels like she is "grounded" always in the White House because of all the security that must follow her.

Audrey stumbles across the diary of Alice Roosevelt from her time of living in the White House. Audrey takes to Alice immediately and loves how Alice just wants to eat up life. Audrey is inspired by Alice's free spirit and Audrey tries to have one too; only things don't work out the way she wants.

 

Comments: Audrey was a likeable character, and I liked that her mother was the president, rather than her father. I think that will be inspirational to a lot of girls who have similar dreams. This book would've done okay as a young novel, however, both girls were teens in the book, and there was a lot of talk over very controversial subjects. One of the main focuses of the book was her trying to date Quint (a friend) and standing up for same-sex/gay marriage.

Honestly, I was surprised they were continuing to address a topic like that (same-sex marriage) in a book for younger girls, because I felt like the book was really just a tool to try and sell me a bunch of propaganda - like there was some sort of hidden agenda. I didn't particularly enjoy that and would've definitely preferred the book had there not been all of that in it (couldn't the author have chosen something else?)

The book also showed Alice smoking cigarettes and Audrey almost smokes too (but realizes how wrong it is). I couldn't decide whether this was a teachable moment in the book or another hidden agenda about how smoking is a choice.

The whole time I felt like the author couldn't decide whether she was writing for a young adult or for a child and I didn't think the book did a particularly good job of juggling the two. I came in with high expectations and I have to admit I was a bit disappointed.  

This book would be rated 12+ I think.

 

Complaints: I said it all in the comments.

 

Rating: 4 stars